Tony Baxter (Gazette, August 19) is right to worry that an East Colchester park-and-ride might encourage people to drive to Colchester instead of taking the train.
Indeed, research evidence does not suggest that park-and-ride schemes reduce numbers of car journeys. So let’s be clear about what parkand- ride might and might not achieve. It might bring more visitors into Colchester.
And it might reduce the number of cars in and around the town centre.
These may be considered worthy aims.
But it is unlikely that park-and-ride will contribute to reductions in carbon emissions.
After all, the only way to use a park-and-ride is to drive there, so it would perpetuate car dependence.
If park-and-ride is to be introduced, let’s be honest about the reasons.
Meanwhile, it is in everyone’s interests to push for better rail services into Town station and better bus connections to the stations.
Peter Lynn
Colchester and District
Green Party
Castle Road
Colchester
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